The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has announced that from July 1, it will be provide legally binding directions to service providers of up to $50,000 in value, and making recommendations up to $100,000.
The TIO is a free dispute resolution service for small businesses and residential customers who have complaints about their telephone or Internet service in Australia.
The change marks an increase from $30,000 and $85,000, respectively.
“The adjustment to our monetary limits means that consumers who previously had disputes too large for us to deal with will now have access to our service,” Ombudsman Simon Cohen, said.
The TIO claims small business consumers will benefit most from the increase.
As the change is implemented, the TIO will also shift its definition of small businesses with the aim of makings its service more accessible. It will assist small businesses with a turnover of less than $3 million and up to 20 employees.
It has also removed its amount in dispute and yearly expenditure criteria.
